Maison Gilles Charles – a respite care centre in Cowansville
Yvan Pion came to speak to the bowlers of the Wednesday Morning Breakfast League about the services available at Maison Gilles Charles under the BMCSG, the Brome-missisquoi Caregiver Support Group. The home is located at 614 Blvd. J. Andre Deragon, in Cowansville. Its phone number is 450263-4236.
This home provides respite for caregivers for a few hours or for a weekend. Activities are organized for people needing care to give caregivers a muchneeded break or the activities can be attended by both the family member and the caregiver together with the staff.
The peaceful atmosphere of the house creates a safe and welcoming place. The BMCSG has an important role to give caregivers a chance to rest, to express their needs and feelings, to be listened to with empathy and compassion, and to be given support and tools that will help them to better assist their loved ones. Their flexible approach offers a well-deserved break to caregivers.
The “Halte-repit” program is officed in cooperation with the CSSS La Pommeraie on Tuesdays and Fridays at the house from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is reserved for people 65 years of age and over. This drop-in program provides caregivers a break while providing their family members with physical or cognitive impairment issues group activities that are tailored to their individual needs.
They also offer some respite care at home to seniors or disabled adults who are isolated and confined to their homes. Supervised volunteers are trained and offer a variety of in-home physical and recreational activities on a one-to-one basis. A caregiver can use this service for a few hours per week.
The four-hour blocks have a modest charge of $10, which includes a meal. The 56-hour respite block is subsidized and free of cost, but donations are accepted to support other participants.
For more information, give the home a call. This is a wonderful service to have for our community.